This week:
Elena gets what might be the truth from Katherine. Elijah isn’t as gone as we thought. Lots of new info. Damon gets lucky. Katherine backstory. Jeremy gets cockblocked.

Pluses:
Caroline being the best friend she used to be again.
Katherine backstory.
Big Bad is back and a Bigger Bad is on the way.
New characters with their own webs.
New twists and turns.
Uber vamp powers activate!
Dobrev’s Katherine.

Minuses:
I think it is funny how I dised the early dismissal of Elijah – he really is a big bad, if not the biggest bad.
Didn’t feel any chemistry between Damon and Rose – but then it was just sex – for now.

Overall it was a smooth episode – just the right mix of tension, multiple story lines and backstory. This episode continues the theme that every African American in Mystic Falls is a witch/warlock. Katherine’s motivations, if they can be believed, make her much less one dimensional. Very nice indeed.

This week:
We pick up hours after Elena’s kidnapping. The Originals. The Petrova Doppleganger. The Big Bad. Tyler learning about himself.

Pluses:
Nice to see Caroline and Tyler interact.
Elijah.
Jeremy and Bonnie bonding.
Rose smacking Elena – I wanted to right then too!

Minuses:
Really all that build up for 5 mins?
Action was a bit meh.

Not the strongest of eps. Lots of dialogue which I thought was really setting us up for the next few weeks – but was all over in moments. Maybe this ep was the lead up to the roll through of the back half of the season. I hope so.

This week:
Yet another Founders’ Event. Team Elena decide to take down Team Katherine. Katherine makes a new puppy. Katherine is double crossed in her double cross. Elena doesn’t change her mind. Bonding of Caroline and Tyler over a secret. Katherine!

Pluses:
Elena sticking to her guns re Stefan.
The puppy making was great.
Caroline development – a real highlight of the ep.
Katherine.
Another awesome soundtrack.

Minuses:
Oh come on really? Elena, really? Where is your head.
How come who we thought would die didn’t die?
Correct me if I am wrong, aren’t they still in school – why are they never there anymore?
The last scene *snore*

Overall, still a very strong episode with some great resolutions to some stories and commencements of new ones. To be honest, I was neither surprised nor interested in the last moment of the show. It was a good idea to rebuild the suspense for our protagonist now that her nemesis has been temporarily iced (I so didn’t expect what they did to her), but felt a bit meh. I think it was just too fast, no build up from the previous scene. I don’t mind the plot device, even if it was obvious, but I think its implementation was lax.

Pluses:
Jeremy finding his stones and also his line in the sand.
Editing.
Caroline and mum dynamic.
Damon was very Damon.
The well.
Stefan actually acted!
Plan B!

Minuses:
Bonnie is still one dimensional though they are trying.
Surprised they killed who they killed.
Whole week to wait!

This episode was just fantastic. Many of the arcs came to resolution this week – good, bad and heartbreakingly sad. I must admit I had a tear in my eye for Caroline’s choice and actions. What has been set in motion is going to spill out into the town and shake up the lives of our favourite characters and those around them. Vampire Diaries is my bit of fun, but this episode changed my impression of the show. Plan B was amazing. Can’t wait for next week.

Really good episode that was fun, intense, surprising and super enjoyable. Stefan still annoys me no end, so I remain firmly positioned in Camp Damon. I know I said last week that I normally can wait for the next episode, but this week, with that final twist… I really want to see some fall out. I doubt though they will reward us straight away.

This week:Katherine declares her love. The object of her affections doesn’t care one little bit. Torture. Damon is all ironic, sulky and naughty. Attempted murder of the non-neck biting variety. Flashbacks.

Pluses:
More solid back-story to the love triangle.
Katherine is more than just a jealous snark.
Carolyn developing slowly.
Loved all the Puppy jokes.
Finally some decent Lockwood development.

What will happen if Katherine stops putting waves/curls in her hair? How will we ever tell them apart? I am not “hanging” to find out what happens in Vampire Diaries – never really am – but it is a nice little romp with a solid arc… though I guess I just declared myself for Team Damon. Excuse me while I download some Justin Beiber and talk about boys. #shudder

Pluses:PUPPY!
Elena character development.
Caroline being Caroline X 2.
Katherine.
Caroline taking one for the team.

Minuses:Alric being boring.
Character development of the Lockwood family was no surprise.
Taking self way too seriously (except for Somerhalder’s Damon).
No Jeremy development.
How much eye makeup can someone wear before their lids fall off?

I still think they shouldn’t have killed Anna – so much more interesting as a character than Caroline. Not the best ep, but not as bad as some shows I have watched recently.